Kern Road Veterinary Clinic Demonstrates Their Commitment To Unwanted Donkeys 

Local veterinarian teams up with Turning Pointe Donkey Rescue to provide vaccines for donkeys in need

Fowlerville, Michigan (June 22, 2009) —Doctors Vaupel, Ragon, Esterline, Shrader, Gnagey, and Kobe have taken a stand in support of unwanted donkeys by participating in the Unwanted Horse Veterinary Relief Campaign (UHVRC). As part of the outreach program, equine veterinarians help rescue and retirement facilities provide healthcare for America’s unwanted horses and donkeys.

 Turning Pointe Donkey rescue located in Dansville, Michigan has directly benefited from the program. The facility, which provides care for up to 30 donkeys at a time, recently received core equine vaccines thanks to the support of American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)-through Kern Road Veterinary Clinic the Turning Pointe’s UHVRC application was accepted to obtain vaccines to protect these donkeys against numerous equine illnesses that afflict unvaccinated donkeys. 

“Tens of thousands of donkeys end their days unwanted or unneeded,” says Sharon Windsor, President of Turning Pointe Donkey Rescue. “Our donkey rescue center relies on the generosity of our supporters. Not only do we depend on them – our donkeys do as well. We want to thank the Kern Road Veterinary Clinic for making a difference in the lives of so many of our donkeys. Having Doctors Vaupel, Ragon, Esterline, Shrader, Gnagey, and Kobe on board in conjunction with the UHVRC is fantastic news for equine welfare.” 

About the UHVRC

Established in December 2008 by Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health and the AAEP, the UHVRC is committed to protecting the health of unwanted horses and donkeys by donating equine vaccines to qualifying equine rescue and retirement facilities. Since January, the UHVRC has aided more than 1,400 animals across the country.

Horse and donkey rescue and retirement facilities are required to work with an AAEP-member veterinarian to complete and submit an application, the facilities checklist and the equine vaccine order form to receive complimentary Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health equine vaccines.

Three of Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health’s equine vaccines are available through the UHVRC program: PreveNile^® West Nile virus vaccine; EquiRab^™ rabies vaccine; and Prestige^® V (KY93, KY02 and NM2/93 flu strains, EHV-1, EHV-4, EEE, WEE and tetanus).

Horse and donkey facilities that follow the AAEP Care Guidelines for Equine Rescue and Retirement Facilities and have a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status are qualified to receive support from the UHVRC. To download an application and the AAEP Care Guidelines or to learn more about the UHVRC visit: www.UHVRC.org.

Since Dec.1, 2008, a portion of all Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health equine vaccine sales has gone to support the UHVRC. To learn more about Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health’s full line of innovative, high-quality, equine-health products, visit www.intervetusa.com.

About Turning Pointe Donkey Rescue

Turning Pointe Donkey Rescue is operated by volunteers who are committed to Donkeys and giving them a second chance, a Turning Pointe, in their lives. You can find them on the internet at www.turningpointedonkeyrescue.com. Turning Pointe Donkey Rescue became a reality in October 2004 when an enthusiastic group of people got together and decided that many nice donkeys were unwanted, unappreciated and often found themselves in the kill pen at an auction. 

They are a Michigan based non profit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of miniature, standard and mammoth donkeys. Their objective is to promote the humane care and proper training of these long ears and to provide the public with a better understanding of their true nature. Their efforts are directed towards rescuing donkeys, and the education of perspective and current donkey owners.  

Donkeys come to TPDR from a variety of difficult situations, a number of them due to changes in current owner’s circumstances, financial hardships as well as many straight from the kill pens. They are rehabilitated, sometimes from very poor condition and then matched with the most compatible, compassionate and supportive environment possible and go on to lead happy lives.

Below are a few of the donkeys that have found their way to Turning Pointe after being sentenced to death in an auction “kill pen”.

About AAEP

The American Association of Equine Practitioners, headquartered in Lexington, Ky., was founded in 1954 as a nonprofit organization dedicated to the health and welfare of the horse and donkey. Currently, the AAEP reaches more than 5 million horse and donkey owners through its nearly 10,000 members worldwide and is actively involved in ethics issues, practice management, research and continuing education in the equine veterinary profession and horse industry.

About Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health

Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health is a leader in research and dedicated to the development, production and marketing of innovative, high-quality animal-health products for all major farm and companion animal species. For more information about Intervet/Schering-Plough Animal Health visit: www.intervetusa.com.

PreveNile, Prestige and EquiRab are property of Intervet International B.V. or affiliated companies or licensors and are protected by copyrights, trademark and other intellectual property laws. Copyright © 2009 Intervet International B.V. All rights reserved.